22.2.12

Malachai has his SEP exams this week (SEP - - Secretaria de Educacion Pubica, is Mexico's department of Education) I'm not positive how many times he tests throughout the year (hmm, I should probably figure that out) but he has already tested a couple of times this year; God has given my boy a quick, bright mind, and I think that maybe he didn't do as well on his last of round tests as he could have,

so with this round of tests we have offered some incentives,
and every afternoon I offer to help him study and review his notes (but I don't force it on him);
then, when he goes to school in the morning
I pray that he will get a grade that accurately reflects the effort that he has put in.

do any of you have a system in place that helps teach your children to study well, and at the same time teach them that their studies are their own responsibility? do tell!

6 comments:

No system really. Just do homework immediately after we get home from school. I have a similar "problem" with my oldest boy. He's used to everything coming very easy to him so he gets discouraged easily when something is in fact challenging. This week he's struggling with P.E. and learning how to roller skate. It's been a big deal over here and I just keep encouraging him to keep trying and to not give up and to put forth his best effort AND to ask his teacher for help.I have to remind myself that he does need to learn to take responsibilities for his schoolwork and that I can remind him once, but if he doesn't remember after that, then he has to suffer the consequences. This is hard to watch as a parent though so I understand that delicate balance you're trying to achieve.

something I'm trying to deal with myself is recognizing that I can't just expect him to be responsible . . . I have to TEACH him to be responsible! (and since I'm not so responsible myself - it's kind of tricky!)

I'm a big fan of educational games that are "just for fun" while at the same time it builds their skills in academics. My favorite math game that I always LOVED to play as a child (and adult) was called "24". I purchased it for my classroom and my students loved our competitions. I have also heard great things about Bananagrams and other games by that same company.

I think teaching our children/students to strive for excellence and a desire to do all for the glory of God are the best system to motivate students in their studies.

I have found through tutoring and teaching that many students have the skills to do well but they rush through and don't check their work (math) or re-read what they've written and end up making simple mistakes that they could easily catch if they just re-read their answers. Students who learn to check their work early, tend to find success and learn to slow down. I would often let my students work a few problems and then reward them if they were able to do a set amount of math problems with no mistakes. The reward was often a quick game etc. Checking work is definitely a skill that needs to be taught. It doesn't come naturally for most people.

I like how you pray that he will get a grade that reflects the effort put in.

great tips Megan - thanks! I definitely notice that Malachai struggles to check his work . . . and we are working on that - - mostly talking about it and doing it during homework time - and this testing period, we have insisted that he use the ENTIRE test time to do his test, and that if he finishes early (since he always does) he needs to go back and review his work.

if you have any more tips (for a mama!)to encourage checking, send them my way! ;)

I have found it helpful to use the concepts of stewardship and faithfulness when addressing academics. Immature children don't naturally understand what stewardship of intelligence looks like, and even when they do, it's a long process of teaching them to be faithful. But if they have the Holy Spirit leading them, he will teach them long after we stop. It would be helpful if grades reflect mastery of the subject, but often they don't. A smart, lazy kid can get all sorts of affirmation for little character if he gets an A, while another child demonstrates faithfulness and perseverance and gets a D. Of course, young children aren't always accurate assessing whether they have been good stewards of their intelligence and opportunities. Nevertheless, I have found it good to spend the bulk of my time framing our discussions in these terms. God's Word is living and powerful and sharper than any of our best lectures and methods. It can lead our children gently along the way academically.

yes; well said! the concepts of stewardship and faithfulness are key ones for us . . . and we discuss them often! as PART of that, though, I want to help my boy discern what his gifts and abilities are, and also what are the practical ways for him to develop and express those abilities . . . so that he had be a wiser, more capable steward!

I am Naomi.

I live in Mexico city - where I eat tacos as often as I can, hunt for beauty in the chaos (because beauty IS here . . . I just have to work hard to see it), and thank God every single day that my little apartment has such big windows.